Thursday, July 23, 2009

Sorry about the missing links this morning! As I mentioned yesterday, it has become extremely busy. And yes, to those of you who were worried, I am fine! Wow, I didn't realize how consistent I have become on the morning links.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

It started back in the 30's as The Holland Tunnel Diner with 6 tables and 10 counter seats. It was eventually renamed The Moondance Diner and refurbished in the early 80's. It has been seen by millions on TV (Friends, Sex and the City), Films (like SpiderMan) and even an AhHa video. But in 2007 it was all but a goner. Rent had made the business no longer viable and plans had been hatched to build the 255' Grand Street Hotel on the site. Extell development donated the diner to the American Diner Museum who sold it to an enterprising couple in Wyoming. The husband drove it with his father by flatbed to LaBarge, Wyoming. But the winter of 2008 nearly proved devastating. While the foundation for it's new home was being built, the weight of snow collapsed the roof and damaged the walls. For many of us following the story, that was the last that we heard. Well, there is a happy ending! Many of the significant artifacts were safe in storage, and on January 12th of this year, the Moondance Diner opened anew! I reached Lynn, a friend of the owner at the diner this morning, and she says business has been "quite busy". In fact, Lynn says that Moondance has now "become a tourist destination spot."

On Sixth Avenue and Grand Street, site of the famed former "Moondance Diner" rises the 255' Grand Street Hotel. The intriguing structure is getting glassed up and looks like about six months from completion. But, the hotel already has it's first guest, oh yes, the jumbo rat!Special thanks for the pics from tipster (and sister), Liz Fine.All the Grand Street Hotel coverage you can ever ask for from Wired NY Forums

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Hamptons are no stranger to the housing downturn. Bankers, brokers, and just about everyone else strangled tight the purse strings, sat on their wallets, and drove sales volume down 58% compared to the same quarter last year. This, according to Judy Desiderio, broker and Hamptons market report generator extraordinaire as reported by Bloomberg this morning.

The top story on ABC's Good Morning America today was about how Goldman Sachs had recovered from the banking crisis and was expected to report $2 Billion in profit for the 2nd Quarter. Hooray! Right? No?

Oh, I'm sorry, the gist of the story was to throw around terms like "outrage", "anger", and imply that we should all be collectively upset, or beyond upset, like break out the pitch forks sort of rage! The only rage I felt was against ABC for manufacturing such bullshit. Goldman Sachs, after all, is a great American company that has is critical to the functioning of our financial and capital markets. Here is a company with a remarkable track record, having recorded only one Quarterly loss (last fall) since going public. Yes, they took $10 Billion from the government (which they have since repaid), but nobody considers the context. Nobody seems to remember that they took this money because the Treasury more or less forced it on them when other banks were at risk of failure. The idea was that all the major banks would take money so that no bank would be singled out and such action would prevent a run on the most troubled institution (s). Goldman was a team player in the interest of the national and world economy. Now, thankfully, the immediate crisis has passed, and one of our great institutions is earning money yet again. This, and the resilience of capitalism should be celebrated, not berated. We should be happy that we are seeing signs of recovery, not "outraged". Chris Cuomo may ask "where is our cut"? Our cut is that we are not in another Great Depression. Take that to the bank.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

In a 9-1 vote, the Landmarks Preservation Committee approved the residential component of the St. Vincent's redevelopment plan. The committee lauded Rudin for its consideration of the community and the flexibility it showed in downsizing the project.Residential Project To Land On St. Vincent's Site (Crains)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

This is one big, fat, wow! Now here is a home that I could get truly comfortable with! This sprawling penthouse in the East 60's off Third features 4 bedrooms, enormous living room with wood burning fireplace, expansive dining area with floor to ceiling windows and a private terrace that wraps around all 3 exposures of this apartment. The apartment will see some upgrades, but there is no denying that it has some great bones! All yours for $12,500/mo.. If you want to see it, just give Andrew a call at 646-237-4175.

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About Me

Associate broker for Halstead Property. First licensed in 1991. Dedicated to providing a level of service, knowledge, and professionalism which exceeds all in the industry. Moved to New York at age 7 (over 40 years ago). I love the old New York and I am an infomaniac when it comes to new development in the city. I have a wonderful wife, 3 gorgeous girls, and live on the Upper East Side.
E Mail any time: andrew@afinecompany.com or for real estate matters afine@Halstead.com or just check my real estate page: http://andrewfine.halsteadagent.com/